Pittsburgh man admits to breaking into cars to steal identities, rack up charges

A Pittsburgh man pleaded guilty to breaking into parked cars as part of a scheme to steal the identities of Western Pennsylvanians, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Terry Porterfield, 44, admitted to taking the driver’s licenses, credit cards, debit cards and Social Security cards from the unoccupied vehicles he ransacked around the region, then using the information to make fraudulent purchases at places such as Best Buy and Target, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said.

Prosecutors did not specify how much money Porterfield racked up in other people’s names, nor how many people were affected.

The Postal Inspection Service and Secret Service collaborated in the investigation with police from Pittsburgh, Ross and Allegheny County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted the case.

Porterfield, who was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, faces a maximum possible sentence of up to 22 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000.

U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab scheduled a sentencing hearing for April 23.